Wearing Two Jerseys

Most days, I’m either on a lacrosse field or in a boardroom. On paper, those worlds might look miles apart—sweat and whistles on one end, budgets and bylaws on the other. But truth is, they have more in common than you’d think.

Whether I’m coaching high school athletes or serving on the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority Board, I’ve found that strong decision-making, clear communication, and accountability under pressure are the constants that make both jobs work.

You don’t have to choose between being a coach or a civic leader. In fact, doing both sharpens you in ways that make each role stronger.

Playbooks and Policy Books: The Power of Preparation

One of the first lessons you learn as a coach: don’t show up without a plan. Practices need structure. Games need strategy. You’ve got to know your players, the other team, and the conditions you’re walking into.

Same goes for board service. At GRU, we review dense packets filled with data, infrastructure timelines, rate studies, and regulatory frameworks. You can’t just “wing it” when you’re making decisions that affect thousands of people’s access to water, power, or internet.

Whether I’m breaking down a 2–3 zone defense or a utility rate proposal, the goal is the same: understand the field, anticipate outcomes, and lead with clarity.

Managing Different Personalities

On a lacrosse team, you’ve got all kinds of kids. Natural leaders, quiet workers, high-energy players, and those still finding their voice. Some need a push, some need a pat on the back. And the key to bringing them together? Listening. Adjusting. Uniting around a common goal.

Turns out, that’s exactly what you need in a boardroom.

The GRU board is made up of folks with different experiences—some from finance, others from engineering or public service. Everyone brings a unique perspective, and that’s a strength. But it also means decision-making requires patience, empathy, and the ability to speak across personalities and politics.

Coaching taught me to listen before I talk, to translate big ideas into shared understanding, and to earn trust before trying to lead. That skill set is invaluable in civic leadership.

Communication Under Pressure

On game day, you don’t have time for a speech. You need quick, clear, confident direction: “Slide early.” “Double the crease.” “Use the timeout.”

Same thing happens during board meetings—especially when public comments roll in, utility issues become urgent, or we’re facing decisions with financial or political weight. That’s not the time to waffle or over-explain. It’s time to focus, steady the room, and speak with purpose.

Being in high-stakes environments as a coach helps you stay composed when the stakes shift in the civic arena. Leadership under pressure looks different in a suit and tie, but it’s built in the same fire.

Accountability Is the Common Thread

In both worlds, you’re accountable to people who depend on you.

On the field, it’s the kids who show up every day and need structure, discipline, and support. It’s their parents, their teachers, and their futures on the line.

On the GRU board, it’s thousands of Gainesville residents—families trying to pay their bills, small business owners relying on reliable service, elderly residents on fixed incomes who deserve respect and stability.

When you lead with that kind of responsibility in mind, decision-making becomes clearer. It’s not about your reputation or agenda—it’s about service.

Adjusting on the Fly

In lacrosse, things never go exactly according to plan. Weather changes, refs make bad calls, players get hurt, momentum shifts. You have to adjust.

Same with public service.

Policies evolve. Projects hit snags. Public sentiment shifts. You’ve got to pivot without panic, adapt without losing sight of your core values. That’s where my coaching background gives me confidence—I know how to call an audible, rally a group, and keep us moving forward, even when the unexpected shows up.

Measuring Success Beyond the Scoreboard

One of the biggest parallels between coaching and civic leadership is how you define “winning.”

On the field, it’s not just about the scoreboard. It’s about growth—seeing a shy freshman become a team captain, or a kid with no confidence find their voice.

In public service, “wins” aren’t always flashy either. Sometimes it’s a quiet improvement in service quality. A budget passed with community input. A long-term infrastructure upgrade that won’t make headlines but will make life better for families five years from now.

Impact over ego. Results over recognition. That’s the mindset in both roles.

One Team, Many Fields

At the end of the day, coaching and civic leadership aren’t two separate identities—they’re two sides of the same coin. Both require:

• Clear planning
  
• Humble leadership
  
• Strong communication
  
• Service-first mentality
  
• The ability to work with people, not just for them
  

Every day I put on a whistle or review a policy packet, I’m reminded: this is what community leadership looks like. It’s showing up—on the bleachers and in the boardroom—with the same heart, grit, and drive to build something better.

That’s the playbook I’ll keep running.